Just want to endorse Fu's advice. We are big fans of green mulch and agree with Fu and StrawLizzy 100% on their value- our garden is proof. Price wise and nutrient wise, it wins hands down. The differing sizes of materials in the mulch allow water and oxygen to penetrate to the roots of the plants. We had never gardened in gravelly clay before, and were lent a dvd called "Back to Eden" about setting up a garden and basically followed it. We did add gypsum to help break down the clay. One year on, we have very healthy plants which are well established. We also found out that cape weed (which we thought would be the bane of our lives) makes brilliant compost too!

Just want to endorse Fu's advice. We are big fans of green mulch and agree with Fu and StrawLizzy 100% on their value- our garden is proof. Price wise and nutrient wise, it wins hands down. The differing sizes of materials in the mulch allow water and oxygen to penetrate to the roots of the plants. We had never gardened in gravelly clay before, and were lent a dvd called "Back to Eden" about setting up a garden and basically followed it. We did add gypsum to help break down the clay. One year on, we have very healthy plants which are well established. We also found out that cape weed (which we thought would be the bane of our lives) makes brilliant compost too!

I watched Back to Eden the other day, and I LOVED it. A brilliant documentary that gave me so much hope and confidence in battling infertile soils, and I cant wait to implement the concept !! Basically brings home the notion of looking to nature for our answers and letting nature do its thing and having complete faith that it will work...because its been proven since the beginning of time. Available to view for free on vimeo.com by the way